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      How to optimize a restaurant for visitors (PRO)

      Last updated

      26 March 2025

      Overview

      If your restaurant welcomes visitors (customers who are not staying at the property), there are several features in the CMS that allow you to offer them a seamless experience—without requiring them to download the guest app. From sharing booking links to publishing digital menus, this guide explains how to optimize your restaurant’s visibility and usability for non-staying guests.

      Before getting started

      Before configuring your restaurant for visitors, make sure you:

      • Have completed the restaurant setup in Content > Facilities > Restaurants.
      • Have enabled the PRO booking system and created at least one timetable.
      • Have created the catalog with your restaurant’s menu.

      Who are visitors?

      In STAY, visitors are customers who do not have a reservation to stay at the hotel. These may include local residents or guests from nearby hotels.

      The CMS allows you to manage bookings and share information with them through direct links—no app installation required.

      Step-by-step guide

      Step 1: Enable bookings for visitors

      To allow non-staying guests to make a reservation:

      1. Go to PRO > [Select the service] > Settings > Restrictions.
      2. Scroll down to the Allow bookings from visitors section.
      3. Enable the Activated switch.
      4. Choose the channel:
        • Manually by staff (for phone or in-person bookings managed by staff).
        • App (if they’ll access through the web app).
      5. Click Save changes.

      How to optimize a restaurant for visitors 01EN

      Step 2: Share the booking widget

      Once visitor access is enabled, generate a booking widget to share outside the app.

      1. Contact our Support team to request a Booking widget for your restaurant.
      2. Once you have the public booking link, copy it and share it.

      You can share this link:

      • On the hotel or restaurant’s official website.
      • On your Google Business Profile.
      • On social media platforms.
      • Via QR codes at physical locations.

      Guests can make and cancel reservations from this link—without downloading the guest app.

      Tip: You can also embed the widget into your website using the provided code.

      Step 3: Create a shareable restaurant menu

      To allow visitors to view your restaurant’s menu online:

      1. Go to Content > Facilities > Restaurants.
      2. Select the restaurant, click Edit and open the Advanced catalog tab.
      3. Create or update your digital menu.
      4. Request our Support team the catalog widget activation.
      5. Once ready, go to My App > Widget.
      6. Generate the public URL for the catalog.

      You can now:

      • Share the catalog link on your restaurant website, Google profile, or other platforms.
      • Avoid duplicating information—no need to manually update menus in multiple places.
      • Ensure that both staying guests and visitors always see the most up-to-date version.

      How to optimize a restaurant for visitors 02EN

      Next steps

      After configuring your restaurant for visitors:

      • Promote your booking and catalog links across your digital channels (e.g. website, Google profile, social media).
      • Monitor visitor activity in the CMS from PRO > Reservations.
      • Train your staff to easily identify bookings from guests and visitors for smoother service.
      • Use Insights to track where bookings are coming from and understand the balance between guests and visitors.

      Need further assistance?

      If you have additional questions or require further assistance:

      • Contact us via live chat
      • Send a ticket to our Support team
      • Visit STAY Academy, our training platform.